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Midweek Get-Togethers at HSoSC
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Midweek Get-Togethers at HSoSC

We’re thrilled to partner with our historic peers, the Friends of the History Center, to present two special programs this season.

Wednesday January 24, 2024 at 2pm in the Crocker Memorial Church

How Florida Got Its Shape – Of the fifty states, Florida has one of the most distinctive and widely recognized shapes. But how did that familiar shape come to exist? Obviously the state’s 1,350-mile coastline defines the majority of it, but what about its borders to the north and west? It might surprise you to learn that “Florida” has at various times stretched as far north as present-day Virginia and as far west as the Mississippi River. The current shape of Florida was settled during a fascinating era before the region was a U.S. state. In those days, Florida was actually an international borderland. Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a brief journey into that era–illustrated with maps and records explaining exactly how and why Florida acquired its well-known shape.

Wednesday February 21 at 2pm in the Crocker Memorial Church

The Tamiami Trail and the Development of Florida’s Gulf Coast in the 1920s – The 275-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 41 between Tampa and Miami is called the Tamiami Trail. To the casual observer it looks like every other major highway in the area, but this strip of pavement played a big role in the development of Florida’s Gulf coast. Because of its route through the Everglades, it was in many ways an engineering marvel of its time, and it even resulted in the creation of a new county! Join the staff of the Sarasota County History Center for a closer look at the fascinating history of this iconic scenic Florida byway and its impact on the Gulf coast.

The public is invited to these one-hour educational events at the Historic Society of Sarasota County.

Pinecraft: How It Came to Be
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Pinecraft: How It Came to Be

Curious abut the history and development of Pinecraft? It’s an unusual neighborhood in Sarasota, first settled by Mennonites in the 1920s. Many Mennonites still live there. As a religious group Mennonites are members of a small denomination, with some 300,000 members in the United States. Sarasota’s Mennonite community is composed of about 2,000 regular worshippers in the summer and twice that during the Pinecraft season.

Pinecraft has about 500 tiny homes in a planned grid at the intersection of Beneva Road and Bahia Vista Street. The bustling neighborhood is home to many authentic restaurants and is a popular destination for snow-bird Amish as well as Mennonites escaping the harsh winters of the midwest. Find out why the commuity exists, and how it came to be.

J.B. Miller is an authority on the history of the Mennonite community in Sarasota and on the history and development of Pinecraft. We are pleased to host this expert on Sunday, January 14 at 2 p.m. at the Historical Society’s Crocker Memorial Church at 1260 12th Street, between Tamiami Trail and Cocoanut Avenue in Pioneer Park, Sarasota.

This program is free to members; $10 at the door for not-yet-members.  Come early… last time J. B. Miller filled the Crocker Church!

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Murder and Mayhem in Manatee

An HSoSC Extra Presentation Wednesday, October 25, at 12 Noon

Young Pliny Reasoner of Manatee wrote to his parents UpNorth: “When a man can shoot another and cut his throat, in cold blood, and know that the law nor the people will neither of them care or do anything about it, you can imagine they get lawless, and not afraid of anything nor anybody.”

What happened? Find out…

Such was the reputation of the Sara Sota Vigilante Commitee, or, as the New York Times dubbed them, the Assassination Society. And just think: they planned the murder of the postmaster, Charles Abbe, in the parlor of the Bidwell-Wood House!

“…the removal of all obnoxious persons…”

Intrigued? There was more than one murder done the the Sarasota Region in the mid 1880s. In fact, up in the civilized towns of Manatee and Bradentown, Sara Sota was known to be full of lawless types.

Krystin Miner, Supervisor of Manatee Village Historical Park

Learn more from our guest, Krystin Miner, Supervisor of Manatee Village Historical Park. It’s a presentation of “disastrous proportions” and definitely, not to be missed!

Join us on Wednesday, October 25, at 12 Noon in the Crocker Memorial Church for Murder & Mayhem in Manatee: the Sarasota Vigilantes during the 1880s, presented by Manatee Village Historical Park. This event is free with a suggested donation to MVHP of $5.

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A Fast Ride Through Time

A Sarasota History 101 presentation by Jon Stone kicks off a season of special events and programming organized by HSOSC at the historic Crocker Memorial Church 

When Jon Stone retired from his long career as a Sarasota-based architect, he found he had the free time to indulge his passion for history. From the time he was a schoolboy in Sarasota, Jon has been fascinated by local history and he began collecting items from the past — maps, post cards, photos — things that could bring him closer to understanding how people lived, worked, traveled, and spent their time long ago. 

Jon joined the board at HSOSC and is currently Treasurer, head of the Finance Committee and a member of Buildings and Grounds committee. He’s found like-minded, history-loving people at HSOSC and he’s found members that can help with his research questions as well as people who are eager to engage in long conversations about history. 

Over the past few months Jon Stone has put together a Sarasota History 101 presentation that he will share on October 15 at 2:45 p.m. at the Crocker Memorial Church. This event kicks off our HSOSC season of special events and public inter-active programming that illuminate people, places and happenings that have shaped Sarasota. Conversations at The Crocker is now in its second decade and a tradition at HSOSC.

Before Jon’s presentation, there will be a Welcome Back Reception on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House starting at 2 p.m. However, HSOSC will open its doors at 1:30 for those who’d like a tour of the Bidwell-Wood House or for those who just want a prime parking spot. Hope to see all you friends of history there. 

Conversation at the Crocker:  A Sarasota History 101 with Jon Stone

1260 12th Street, Sarasota (Pioneer Park)

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Jon Stone presentation of Sarasota History 101 starts at 2:45.

Welcome Back Wine & Cheese Reception on the back porch of the Bidwell-Wood House 2:00 p.m.

Doors open at 1:30 for those who would like a tour of the Bidwell-Wood House.

Members, free; Guests, $10 at the door.

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Wait… Juicy Fruit is Historic?

Yes, it is, believe it or not!

Who saves old chewing gum wrapping? Juicy Fruit the company does.

The first product scanned with a barcode was Juicy Fruit gum.

When Marsh Supermarket cashier Sharon Buchanan rang up a 10-pack of Juicy Fruit on June 26, 1974, and heard a telltale beep, her face must have registered relief.

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Tootlin’ Round the County

Have you done any of the auto tours yet? They’ve been updated by hard-working volunteers from the Friends of the History Center who love Sarasota County History. There’s 9 of them and they are well-researched and planned. If you haven’t downloaded the app or climbed into your a/c’d vehicle to see the sights… this weekend would be a great time to do so! https://friendssarasotahistorycenter.org/autotours/

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Mother’s Day and carnations

“Traditionally, the colors of the flower carry different meanings on Mother’s Day: white carnations honor the mother whose mother has died, while pink ones celebrate a mother whose mother is living.

Do you remember when boxes of Mother’s Day chocolates came in white carnation and pink carnation alternatives?

” Moms and grandmothers alike can thank Philadelphia activist Anna Jarvis for the carnation tradition — and even the holiday itself. On May 10, 1908, Jarvis sent hundreds of white carnations, her late mother’s favorite flower, to her hometown church in West Virginia for a celebration honoring all mothers. That same day, she hosted a similar event in Philadelphia.

“Over the next few years, as the number of Mother’s Day celebrations across the county increased, so did the popularity of the white carnation, which came to symbolize a mother’s love. Thanks to Jarvis’ campaigning, Mother’s Day became a national holiday in 1914 under President Woodrow Wilson.” {source}

More women associated with Mother’s Day, “Mothering Sunday”, Mothers’ Day Work Clubs, Mothers’ Friendship Day, and even a fellow dubbed “the father of Mothers’ Day,” here.

Great piece of trivia: And yes, it’s Mother’s Day (singular), not Mothers’ Day (plural) because Anna Jarvis envisioned her holiday as a personal, child to mother celebration, and she abhorred the commercialization of the day, even getting arrested while protesting. {source}

Oops! You forgot to get YOUR mother something truly meaningful to honor her? Well, then, we have a solution. How about a nice solid brick? (Sorry, Anna.)

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A most flavorful garden occupant

April 16 is National Orchid Day. One of my favorite trivia questions is: “What part of an orchid do we commonly, maybe even daily, eat?” Answer?

VANILLA! And what’s more… we can grow vanilla on our lanais, in our front yard tree… and then we can not just eat local, but Flavor Local!

Here’s how.

Flowers of V. planifolia (top left), V. pompona (top center), V. phaeantha (top right), V. mexicana (bottom left), V. dilloniana (bottom center), and V. barbellata (bottom right) growing in southern Florida. Credit: Alan Chambers, UF/IFAS
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Sarasota News, 100 years ago

1923’s Sarasota. Wouldn’t you have loved to buy a lot or two?

How’s your year going so far? 2023 shaping up as interesting, is it? Here’s what you would have been thinking about 100 years ago in Sarasota.

Top Headlines for 1923

Mira Mar Apartments and Hotel

“I am not especially anxious to build a hotel in Sarasota”

Is it just me, or was this the start of something that looks a lot like what’s going on in 2023? Mr McAnsh stated

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A Day at Sea

Well, yes, red tide did cause a few coughs, but the continental breakfast buffet on our March 2023 Historic Sarasota Bay Cruise provided some soothing refreshments. Volunteers Sue Padden and Norma Kwenski made a lovely buffet table, and the Gentleman With The Legs added a little cheesecake to the menu.

On land, before boarding, board member Deb Walk (right) and City Commissioner Debbie Trice compare notes about being named after Debbie Reynolds (Joke. Maybe they were named after beloved aunts. I wasn’t eavesdropping.) We’ll be hoping Ms. Trice will become an active member!

Meanwhile, waiting for the “all aboard” call, Katie employed her VIP gift, a brilliant umbrella, to protect her not only from the sun, but also from the flock of parrots who were noisily entertaining our guests.

Deborah Walk and Jon Stone, board members of the Historical Society, are all smiles seeing the anticipation of participants in our Historic Sarasota Bay Cruise… our 39th, I believe.

And finally, what would our Cruise posting be without our beloved site manager/ board member wrangler/ yard raker Linda Garcia. She is showing off our logo on this cruise’s VIP gift.

Linda’s who you need to contact to get on the November cruise invite list. Check our sidebar here on HSoSC.com for contact info!

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Watching history being made, Christmas-style.

Don’t you love getting those photographic Christmas cards from family and friends? To cherish the ability to watch history being made as the kids grow? Remember, history isn’t in dusty old books. Sometimes it arrives in a red envelope with a Santa postage stamp. Today we share with you a Sarasota memory…

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Sarasota Honoring its Veterans

“Over 100 years ago, on April 8, 1917, a rainy Easter Sunday morning, “Sarasota’s Sailor Lads,” a well trained Naval militia, gathered at a downtown movie theater for religious services. They were leaving that day bound for Europe and World War I” …”To honor them, a flagpole was erected at the center of Five Points, flying a large 12-by-20 Stars and Stripes donated by

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Read Florida History for Free

Is your house overwhelmed with books? You just can’t resist the opportunity to learn more… but there are books “stacked on the floor, books kept in baskets” and so on? Well, we’re here to help you save some space.

We’ve found some digital books that we think you’ll like, and all they occupy are some gently-used electrons that are infinitely recyclable… in other words…

Here’s some PDFs available for the low low cost of FREE!

If you know of more free reading about Florida and its history, please add them in the comments.

The Digital Library of the Caribbean offers:

The Archaeology of Precolumbian Florida by Jerald T. Milanich
The African American Heritage of Florida
The Architecture of Leisure, about the Flagler and Plant Hotels and how they formed a large part of our history.

The above books are also available in hard copy at University Press of Florida and would make wonderful gifts for Florida lover friends.

And another free book that will absorb you for hours, if not days, is available at The Artists of Old Florida by Fred Frankel (and be sure to dabble in the separate articles and artists listings on that site as well.)

From the Art Gallery section of ArtistsofOldFlorida.com
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You might not be a native, but your landscaping can be!

We all want our gardens, whether we have a multi-acre spread or a pot on the balcony, to scream FLORIDA!
Well, here’s local folks to help, and to get native plants from. And their advice is wise, easy to get, and free. It’s available one day only, though.

Courtesy gulfcoasthomeguide,com
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